The Motto, Slogan, Maxim and Sentiment of the

North American Old Roman Catholic Church

 

THE MOTTO OF THE CHURCH: "IN HOC SIGNO" 

This Motto "IN HOC SIGNO" is Latin for the words "BY THIS SIGN". These famous words formed the major part of the motto adopted by the Emperor Constantine as shown to him in a vision in which he beheld a cross with the words "In Hoc Signo Vinces" meaning "By this Sign you will conquer". Following his victory in battle at the Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312 Constantine freed the Christians and was baptized himself. The sign by which he would conquer was the sign of the Cross of Jesus Christ, sometimes also identified with the Chi Rho another symbol of Our Lord. The initials of the Motto, the letters IHS are a sacred monogram formed by the first three letters of the Greek rendering of the name Jesus (IHCOC). The Chi Rho is another sacred monogram formed by the first two letters of the name Christ (XPICTOC). Thus in adopting the motto IN HOC SIGNO the North American Old Roman Catholic Church pronounces her adherence and Faith in our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. Together with the Apostle Paul we can say: "[We] preach Christ crucified...". And with Saint Paul we also can claim: "But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world".

 

 

THE SLOGAN OF THE CHURCH: "A TRADITIONAL CHURCH FOR TODAY'S CATHOLICS"

The North American Old Roman Catholic Church has adopted the slogan "A TRADITIONAL CHURCH FOR TODAY'S CATHOLICS" to demonstrate that while we are a Catholic Church standing firm and true in the traditional and conservative practice of our Catholic Faith and Tradition, we are also cognizant of the need to minister to and to address the very real pastoral, spiritual and practical needs of contemporary Catholics and those outside of our Faith who have a claim on our ministry and service. For this reason we wish to proclaim and prove that traditional faith and practice are not examples of living in the past or becoming "museum pieces" but that it is a vibrant and living Faith and tradition as much a part of and needed in today's world as it was when it was first organized in Jerusalem two millenia ago. We have received a commission from our Lord to "Go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Our mission then is truly "catholic" as it is meant for every person, everywhere in the world, and throughout the ages of time....EVERYWHERE, ALWAYS and FOR ALL! Scripture tells us that: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever". And again we are told: "...stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either in word of mouth or by letter".

 

 

THE MAXIM OF THE CHURCH: "FOR GOD AND HUMANITY"

The Maxim of the Church (formerly the Motto) is "FOR GOD AND HUMANITY". This Maixm goes back to the early days of our Jurisdiction under the late Archbishop Carmel Henry Carfora. It reflects the twofold focus of our attention and ministry: God and Man. Our Blessed Lord united these two objects of our love, devotion and service by uniting in His Person the Human and Divine natures. He directs our attention in prayer by telling us to pray that "...Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." thus showing us that we must look first to Heaven and to our Almighty Father for the source of all good, and then to share that good with our fellow man. He shows that the Ten Commandments can be put into two basic commandments...the Commandments of the New Law, "...love the Lord thy God....love thy neighbor as thyself...." We sometimes refer to this as the Vertical and Horizontal approach to our Faith. Vertical being the love between God and man; horizontal being the love and service of our neighbor. Our Blessed Savior demonstrated even in His death on the Cross this union of two focuses...the vertical trunk of the Cross in pointing to and uniting heaven and earth, and the horizontal cross bar on which his outstretched arms were nailed in place and which indicated that His Sacrifice and Atonement was meant to be shared and to benefit all mankind universally, if they will but ask for and accept it. And thus as the North American Old Roman Catholic Church acknowledges that she is the vehicle by which our Lord's love and ministry is to be made known and shared by others, she adopts as her Maxim the words that sum up that mission: "FOR GOD AND HUMANITY".

 

 

THE SENTIMENT OF THE CHURCH: "LOVE AND TRUTH FOR ALL"

The North American Old Roman Catholic Church adopted many years ago this Sentiment under the title of Attitude. It is a statement of the Church's dedication to continuing the mission and appeal of our Divine Savior to embrace and love all of His children without distinction and to share the Truth of His Love and Care with everyone that we meet and minister to. He has told us that "I am the Way the Truth and the Life..." and thus when we share truth we share Our Blessed Lord. He is the source, and fount of all Goodness, all Holiness, all Truth, all Justice, and all Life. And He wishes to share ALL of this with ALL mankind, and has commissioned us to make that happen.